The Feds can't hire individual contractors directly. There has to be an "approved" prime contractor who marks up the hourly rate over 100%. Pure profit.
I’ve got family in Contracting businesses.
Fed and state govs set the minimum wage you MUST pay employees when doing jobs for the gov
You must be aware of that when doing bids or you can lose a lot of money.
Last I knew (years ago) it was in the 40 some $ range, must be much more now.